Patrick Lichfield
As the 5th Earl of Lichfield and Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin-once-removed, Patrick Lichfield was uniquely positioned to photograph the intimate moments of the Royal Family and other celebrities during the 1970s and 1980s. As a teenager he began photographing family events, capturing HM The Queen in unusually casual shots taken at a cricket match or vacationing on the Royal yacht Britannia. Lichfield began his professional photography career in 1967 when Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland gave him a five year contract, starting with a portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. This led to many royal assignments including the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana and the 2002 Golden Jubilee. Even at regal affairs Lichfield was able to capture behind-the-scene images that possess an impromptu character. As curator Louise Govier describes "[he] really knew how to get his celebrity subjects to relax and be themselves, or express something fresh and unexpected.” One of his most famed shots is an informal portrait where a young Lady Sarah Armstrong runs into the arms of Prince Charles.
Lichfield was also able to gain exclusive access to the important milestones of the era’s most acclaimed musicians, actors, and artists. His …
As the 5th Earl of Lichfield and Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin-once-removed, Patrick Lichfield was uniquely positioned to photograph the intimate moments of the Royal Family and other celebrities during the 1970s and 1980s. As a teenager he began photographing family events, capturing HM The Queen in unusually casual shots taken at a cricket match or vacationing on the Royal yacht Britannia. Lichfield began his professional photography career in 1967 when Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland gave him a five year contract, starting with a portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. This led to many royal assignments including the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana and the 2002 Golden Jubilee. Even at regal affairs Lichfield was able to capture behind-the-scene images that possess an impromptu character. As curator Louise Govier describes "[he] really knew how to get his celebrity subjects to relax and be themselves, or express something fresh and unexpected.” One of his most famed shots is an informal portrait where a young Lady Sarah Armstrong runs into the arms of Prince Charles.
Lichfield was also able to gain exclusive access to the important milestones of the era’s most acclaimed musicians, actors, and artists. His portfolio includes a nude portrait of Marsha Hunt for the musical Hair, Yves St Laurent modeling his first men's collection in Marrakesh, and Mick and Bianca Jagger on their wedding day in St. Tropez. Although lesser known, throughout his life Lichfield travelled the world taking more calculated photographs of nude models posing in front of city skylines, mountain lakes, and snowy trees.
Lichfield’s editorial work has appeared in publications such as Vogue, Life, and Queen Magazine. His photographs have been presented in solo exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the National Trust at Mottisfort near Romsey, Beningbrough Hall in York, and Nunnington Hall in North Yorkshire. He was awarded fellowships by The British Institute of Professional Photographers and The Royal Photographic Society.
